Cc: haynes@fivenine.apple.com This just came out today. -- Charles Sub: NEW DOMESTIC PARTNERS POLICY June 26, 1992 New Domestic Partners Policy Dear Employees: We are pleased to announce that effective July 1, 1992, Apple will expand several of our HR policies and programs to cover domestic partners of eligible U.S. Apple employees. This change is a result of research conducted by HR which looked at our current HR policies, programs, and benefit plans (which include coverage for spouses of Apple employees) and what other companies are doing regarding covering domestic partners. As a result of this research, we recommended, and the EMT approved, that Apple extend some of our policies and programs to cover domestic partners. This change applies to domestic partners of both the same sex as well as opposite sex. While these changes will extend coverage in many of Apple's policies and programs, the benefit plans included in Apple's FlexBenefits program are not being changed at this time. This means that eligibility for Apple's medical and dental programs is not being extended to domestic partners. Expansion of coverage for these benefits is costly and requires approval from the Board of Directors. Our intent is to prepare a recommendation to the Board at a later date. However, we did not want to delay implementation of this change in some of Apple's less expensive policies and programs. We believe that this change is a very positive one for Apple. It recognizes the needs of employees and, as one of a handful of U.S. companies providing this kind of coverage, once again establishes Apple as a leader in the way we relate to our employees. You'll find complete details on how Apple defines a domestic partner, which policies are affected, and where to get your questions answered below. Kevin Sullivan Senior VP, Human Resources Who is a Domestic Partner? -------------------------- A domestic partner is an adult who lives together with another adult in an exclusive committed relationship. % "Lives together" means that two people share the same living quarters. Two people may be considered as living together even if one or both have additional living quarters. They will not be considered to have stopped living together if one leaves the shared quarters for a period of time but intends to return. % "Exclusive" means the person is the employee's sole domestic partner. % "Committed relationship" means that the relationship is intended to last indefinitely and that the partners are responsible for each other's common welfare. The following requirements also apply: % Both partners are at least 18 years of age. % Both partners are mentally competent to enter into a contract. % Neither partner is married to another person. % The partners are not related in any way that would prevent a marriage in the state in which they reside. % Neither partner has been in a domestic partnership within the previous six months. This requirement is waived if the previous domestic partnership ended due to the death of the partner. Policies Affected ----------------- Sick Leave - Apple employees will be able to use sick leave to care for an ill domestic partner. Family Leave - Apple employees will be eligible for Family Leave to care for an ill domestic partner or after the birth or adoption of a baby. Bereavement Leave - Apple employees will be eligible to take bereavement leave with pay to attend the funeral of a domestic partner. Relocation Benefits - Eligible expenses of domestic partners will be covered, if they would have been covered for an Apple employee's spouse. Health and Fitness Programs - Domestic partners of Apple employees will be eligible to use the fitness centers currently open to spouses. Apple Resource and Referral - Domestic partners of Apple employees will be able to use this service. Baby Bonus - Apple employees will be eligible for this bonus for a domestic partner's new baby or newly adopted child. Adoption Assistance - Apple employees will be eligible for adoption assistance to pay for expenses for a domestic partner's newly adopted child. Child Care Center - children of domestic partners of Apple employees will be eligible for the child care center lottery. Implementation -------------- Beginning July 1, employees begin using the programs listed above. Procedures for using these programs will be the same as for spouses of Apple employees. For example, both spouses and domestic partners of Apple employees will need to sign a certification that they have medical coverage before gaining access to the Fitness Center. Questions ------------- If you have general questions regarding this change, or specific questions regarding any of the programs affected, please call the HR HelpLine at 408-974-7411 or link HR.HELPLINE. The HelpLine is ready to answer most questions, but if necessary, they will refer your call to Benefits or Employee Services. (Posted to HotLinks)